Moonlight Patchouli

The intriguing scent of the new Moonlight Patchouli by Van Cleef & Arpels

Patchouli is a tropical plant grown mainly in South America, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is particularly appreciated for its scent as well as its medicinal properties. Some peoples even see many other virtues in this plant. In India, for example, patchouli is used to promote financial and romantic goals. Likewise, Asian traditions attribute aphrodisiac properties to it. It is precisely this highly intriguing ingredient that Van Cleef & Arpels has placed at the heart of its composition. The Maison thus presents its brand new juice: Moonlight Patchouli.

Moonlight Patchouli, an enigmatic fragrance

Moonlight Patchouli is a prestigious fragrance that never ceases to surprise us. Indeed, Van Cleef & Arpels chose to open it with a particularly surprising blend of top notes. These are usually reserved for the base notes of fragrances. Yet here they are wonderfully introduced, making Moonlight Patchouli a truly unique fragrance. It therefore opens with the elegance and sophistication of woody notes. These are accompanied by the woody, earthy and camphoraceous aspect of patchouli. Likewise, cocoa enriches the composition with its indulgent presence. Moonlight Patchouli then gradually evolves towards a more floral heart. Iris, one of the noblest flowers in perfumery, also known as the «Messenger of the Gods», reveals its powdery facet. It is accompanied by the floral and feminine elegance of Bulgarian rose. Finally, the composition of Moonlight Patchouli concludes with modern and original fruity tones. Leather and suede add a particularly sensual finish to the whole.

A fragrance from the Collection Extraordinaire by Van Cleef & Arpels

As its bottle suggests, this fragrance belongs to the Collection Extraordinaire by Van Cleef & Arpels. This is a statement of exception and quality created as a tribute to the Haute Joaillerie of Van Cleef & Arpels. Moonlight Patchouli will be its eighth olfactory variation. It is a series of essences showcasing emblematic raw materials in their finest expression. Each ingredient is crafted in its purest and most accomplished form. Other scented notes accompany the main raw material to support and enhance it. The idea is to draw all attention to a major accord while giving it an additional texture to highlight its natural beauty. This is precisely what the fragrance Moonlight Patchouli is about — a kind of daring tribute to one of the most renowned ingredients in perfumery.

The Collection Extraordinaire tells you a new woody poetry, a wonderful Patchouli between shadow and light.
The olfactory interpretation of a Patchouli in the moonlight, sublimated by exceptional raw materials.
A Patchouli close to the skin…
Like a forest in the moonlight, its soft reflections reveal a delicate floral note combining Rose and Iris.
From its light emerge the precious notes of a warm suede accord, imbued with leathery and fruity accents.

Olfactory Family: Floral Leather Chypre

Top notes: Bergamot, Pink Berry
Heart notes: Rose, Iris
Base notes: Patchouli, Suede Accord

Patchouli has always been an ingredient that sparks much debate. Some adore it, others detest it. Either way, it leaves no one indifferent. Originally, it is a tropical plant grown mainly in South America, Indonesia and the Philippines. Although it truly had its moment of glory in the 1970s with the hippie movement, it is precisely patchouli that Van Cleef & Arpels wanted to place at the heart of its composition this time. The Maison presents its brand new Moonlight Patchouli, a unisex fragrance that is both woody and chypré, from the Collection Extraordinaire of the Maison.

The surprising scent of Moonlight Patchouli

As the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels explains, Moonlight Patchouli «echoes the poetic vision of the moon lighting up the night with its halo.» In other words, this fragrance is rich in contrasts and draws inspiration from the idea of chiaroscuro. Its scent aims to be at once rich, warm, sensual and tenacious without lacking lightness and elegance. Moonlight Patchouli thus opens with an unusual blend. Woody notes immediately lend it a certain elegance and uncommon sophistication. Likewise, Moonlight Patchouli expresses its character and impertinence through them. Moreover, this effect is further reinforced by the powerful and complex presence of patchouli. Cocoa, for its part, brings great indulgence to the whole. Nevertheless, this opening is particularly surprising. Indeed, these three ingredients are most often found in the base of fragrances rather than in their opening. They give way, however, to a more floral heart. This carries the nobility of iris, one of the most refined flowers in all of perfumery. Likewise, Bulgarian rose enriches Moonlight Patchouli with its elegant and feminine scent. Finally, Moonlight Patchouli closes with a fruitier and more modern trail. Leather and suede round off this composition with a truly sensual flourish.

The iconic bottle of the Collection Extraordinaire by Van Cleef & Arpels

As for the bottle, Moonlight Patchouli is housed in the iconic case of the Collection Extraordinaire by Van Cleef & Arpels. It is a true embodiment of luxury. Rectangular in shape, it rests on a heavy glass base and rises vertically. Its base is engraved with the Maison's initials. For this occasion, the Moonlight Patchouli bottle has been entirely lacquered in black. It is decorated with a particularly elegant embossed label. Its cap was crafted by the Maison Jackel and is made of zamak, an alloy of zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper. The whole is topped by a silver-coloured ferrule. Finally, the ensemble is enhanced by a tassel, also crafted in zamak, attached to the whole by a cord fixed at the cap. The entire set is contained in a lacquered wooden box with a piano-finish, requiring eight superimposed lacquer coats. As you will have gathered, Moonlight Patchouli is a fragrance fully worthy of the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels' exceptional savoir-faire.

ALCOHOL DENAT. (SD ALCOHOL 39-C), PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), AQUA (WATER), ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, BHT, LIMONENE, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, LINALOOL, CINNAMYL ALCOHOL, CITRONELLOL, GERANIOL, CITRAL, COUMARIN, CINNAMAL, FARNESOL